Labeling and Packaging of Organs & Vessels - Transplant Pro · OPTN Labeling and Packaging of Organs & Vessels Training Session Lori Markham, RN, MSN, CCRN, CPTC Sean Van Slyck, BA,

OPTN

Labeling and Packaging of

Organs & Vessels

Training Session

Lori Markham, RN, MSN, CCRN, CPTC

Sean Van Slyck, BA, MPA/HSA, CPTC

Labeling Subcommittee Co-Chairs

OPTN

Questions to Run On

What impact will the new labeling

system have on my OPOs processes?

What will I have to do to make sure that

we are compliant with OPTN policy and

that our staff is adequately trained?

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Objectives

The presenters will:

• Explain the background of the project.

• Describe the new label system and how to

use it.

• Identify policy implications when using the

new labels.

• Review labeling methods for various

scenarios (i.e. enbloc, multi-visceral)

• Consider the benefits of the new resource

verification form.

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Background

Currently OPOs/transplant centers are

required to use the external labels provided

by the OPTN contractor (UNOS)

Early 2008, the OPTN introduced a labeling

system (included internal label NOT required

by policy…confusion)

Since that time there has been an increase in

reported labeling errors

Numerous comments from the community

regarding concerns about the new system

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Action Plan

OPO Committee formed a Subcommitee that

evaluated the current labeling system,

developed the new system, and sought full

committee and other committees' support

Pilot Study conducted Jan – March 2010.

• 5 OPOs (varying size/geography)

• Utilized the new system for two months

• Changes made based on pilot site

recommendations

• Final approval by OPO Committee

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New System

External AND Internal label for each organ

Internal label is not required by policy until Board

review and approval in November 2010 (but is

available with the entire system)

Each organ has it’s own assigned color for both

internal and external labels

No place for verification signatures (not required by

policy)

• Each OPO is still required to retain documentation of

the verification of accurate labeling (Policy 5.6.1.)

• Verification Form was pilot tested and is available for

use to fulfill above policy should an OPO wish to use it

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Labeling SystemExternal Labels Matching Internal Labels

8 ½ X 10 ½ 4 ½ X 7 ½

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Verification

Form

(Optional)

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Verification Form

To access the Verification form, go to

http://optn.transplant.hrsa.

gov/resources

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When Packaging Multiple Organs

There are specific labels for en bloc kidneys

and en bloc lungs

When multi-visceral or other organ

combinations are packaged together the

external organ specific labels should be

“layered” to show all organs in the package

All appropriate internal labels should be

affixed to the outermost organ bag

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Vessels

A new vessel label has been developed

Not required by policy until board review and

approval in November 2010 (will be available)

Contains all pertinent information required by

OPTN policy

Label should be attached to the outermost

barrier in which the vessels are packaged

• If vessels stored they must be packaged with triple

sterile barriers, one of which must be rigid (per

policy 5.4.3)

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5.4.3 Vessels

If packaged separately from the organ, the vessels must be

protected by a triple sterile barrier, one of which must be a rigid

container; The vessels must be labeled with the standardized

internal label distributed by the OPTN contractor. The labeled

with information must contain the: recovery date, ABO, all

serology results, container contents, and the UNOS Donor ID. If

the donor is in a “high risk” group as defined by the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the label must indicate

that the vessels are from a donor who meets the CDC criteria for

high risk. The appropriate packaging of vessels should be

completed in the donor operating room. The label should clearly

state “for use in organ transplantation only.” If packaged

separately from the organ, the vessels must be protected by a

triple sterile barrier, one of which must be a rigid container and

the standardized internal label must be affixed to the outermost

barrier.

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Vessel Label

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Ordering Labels

Packages of 10 instead of 25 available for

purchase starting September 1, 2010

Labeling system cannot be used until October

1, 2010 and must be used starting January 1,

2011

Costs to order: (Same as previous labels)

• External Labels - $8.30 / package

• Internal Poly Label - $6.10 / package

To Order: https://store.unos.org

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Timeline

September 1, 2010 – All labels will be

available in the UNOS Store

October 1, 2010 – OPOs can begin to use the

new label system

November 9, 2010 – policy changes go to the

Board for approval (anticipate BOD approval

for requiring the internal label).

January 1, 2011 – Only new label system can

be used.

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For Questions

If you have questions or comments,

there is a designated mailbox that will

be checked daily.

[email protected]

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Organ Specific Colored Labels

1. Pancreas (Mustard)

2. Right Kidney (Blue)

3. Left Kidney (Yellow)

4. Heart (Red)

5. Intestine (Pink)

6. Left Lung (Purple)

7. Right Lung (Orange)

8. Liver (Green)

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Organ Specific Colored Labels:

Enbloc

Kidneys Enbloc

(Yellow and Blue)

Lungs Enbloc

(Orange and Purple)

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Assembling Organ Box- Step 1

The outer box must be

a corrugated plastic or

corrugated cardboard

that is coated with a

water resistant

substance with at least

200 pound burst

strength.

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Organ Label1. UNOS ID

2. Donor ABO

3. Cross Clamp Date and

Time

4. Contents of Box

5. Document Ice

6. Originating OPO Info

7. Destination Info (if known at time of packaging)

*Affix Label to Organ

Box

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Assembling Organ Box- Step 2

The inner container must be

a 1.5 inches thick, insulated

container OR have an

equivalent “R” value.

A closed colored opaque

plastic bag must be placed

between the outer container

and the insulated container.

Closed is defined as being

secured in a manner to

prevent leakage (i.e.

watertight).

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Assembling Organ Box- Step 3

A second closed plastic

liner must also be

placed inside the

insulated container to

encase the ice. Closed

is defined as being

secured in a manner to

prevent leakage (i.e.

water tight).

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Organ Packaging Requirements

Three Sterile Barriers

RIGID CONTAINER

Required for Kidneys and

Pancreata

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Organ Packaging- Step 1

Packaging Options

1. Rigid Container, Bag,

Bag

2. Bag, Rigid Container,

Bag

*Affix Polyplastic Label to

Organ Package

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Organ Packaging- Step 2

Place Properly

Labeled Organ in

Organ Box with Ice

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Organ Packaging- Step 3

Close Inner Bag

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Organ Packaging- Step 4

Place Tissue Typing

Material in a Biohazard

Bag and Set it on Top

of the Closed Inner Bag

Note: Do not embed

sampling material in ice

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Organ Packaging- Step 5

Close the Styrofoam

Lid

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Organ Packaging- Step 6

Complete donor documentation,

as described in UNOS Policy

2.5.6.1, must be sent in the

container with all transported

organs. Donor documentation

must be placed in a watertight

container. Donor

documentation may be placed

in either a location specifically

designed for documentation, or

between the outer and inner

containers.

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Organ Packaging- Step 7

Ensure the Organ

Box is properly

Sealed

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Vessel Packaging

Required Items

1. Sterile Rigid Container (if

packaged separately from

organ)

2. 2 Sterile Isolation Bags

3. UNOS Vessel Label

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Vessel Packaging (Cont’d)

*Affix Vessel Label

To Vessel Package

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Vessel Packaging (Cont’d)

Place Packaged

Vessels in Organ

Box with the Organ

on Ice

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Labeling for Multiple Organs

When Multiple Organs

are Packaged in the

same Box….

Affix Polyplastic labels

to respective organ

packages

Stagger Both Organ

Labels on the Same

Side of the Organ Box

Ensuring the Names of

Both Organ are Visible

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Labeling for Multiple Organs

(Cont’d)

Write the Name of

the Associated

Organ in the “Other”

section on the label

of the different

organ.

Complete this step

for Both Labels in

case One Label

Falls Off.

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1 ~ Requires transplant centers to notify the

recovering OPO when they repackage an organ

5.0 STANDARDIZED PACKAGING, LABELING AND TRANSPORTING OF ORGANS,

VESSELS, AND TISSUE TYPING MATERIALS

The OPO will make all reasonable efforts to package and label the

organ in a timely fashion. If an organ is repackaged by a transplant

center for transport, the Transplant Center will package, label and ship

the organ in accordance with this policy and immediately notify the

recovering OPO of the repackaging.

This proposed policy will be considered by

the Board in November.

Verbal communication is essential when

repackaging an organ.

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These labeling policies apply to

DECEASED donor organs only

Policy 5.0 does not mimic Policy 12.0,

which is the policy transplant centers

use to package living donor organs

Living donor organs require external

labels only

This has been recognized and is being

addressed between the Living Donor

Committee and OPO Committee

OPTN

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